Remembering SNL's First Black Female Cast Member Danitra Vance

With Oprah Winfrey scheduled to pay tribute to the cast of Saturday Night Live in her final year on television, this clip of Lady O when she hosted SNL is making the rounds:



While the other sista in the skit only last one season, Danitra Vance was a gifted performer who made history as the first African American woman who joined the SNL line-up. Why Danitra? Well, see for yourself:



Here she is appearing alongside the talented Vickilyn Reynolds and legendary Ms. Loretta Devine, featured in the soon to be released Jumping The Broom:



Sadly, at the young age of 40, Danitra lost her courageous battle with cancer in 1994 (fellow SNL alum Gilda Ratner also passed away from cancer).

Thank you Ms. Vance for the work you left behind. Job well done!